§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Postmaster-General what is the total cost, including overtime, of the clerical staff and labour employed in the central telegraph store depots during 1903–4, 1904–5, 1905–6, and 1906–7 estimated, and what was the value of the stores examined and issued from these depots in each year of the same period; whether he is prepared to consider favourably proposals to establish a central telegraph store depot in Dublin, where stores would be delivered by contractors, examined, and issued for engineering works in Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The total cost, including overtime, of the clerical staff and labour employed in the central store depots, including the chief pole depots in the provinces, during the years in question was:— £
| £ | |
| 1903–4 | 37,650 |
| 1904–5 | 42,958 |
| 1905–6 | 49,916 |
| 1906–7 | 53,540 (Estimated) |
§ The gross value of the stores dealt with at those depots is estimated as follows:—
| £ | |
| 1903–4 | 1,419,000 |
| 1904–5 | 1,654,000 |
| 1905–6 | 1,838,000 |
| 1906–7 | 2,047,000 |
§ There is a local store depot in Dublin, but I do not think it would be expedient to establish a central depot such as the hon. Member contemplates.